Music

This academic year saw the return of many opportunities for music-making in front of live audiences. The year started with a concert for parents given by our Music Scholars.

It was a real joy to welcome back so many parents after such a long absence and the musicians rose to the occasion. The Autumn Term School Concert, given in Chapel, featured all the School’s ensembles and a few soloists. For our Upper Sixth, this was the last occasion when they would perform at a whole School event and they certainly finished in style with wonderful performances on a real mixture of instruments. Our Chapel Choir lived up to these excellent standards on Admissions Day, which took place at Guildford Cathedral, with an extremely challenging repertoire which they pulled off with their usual aplomb. The final Carol Service at the end of the Autumn term was a real celebration of the true Christmas story; our Chapel Choir sounded stunning, and they lived up to their well-earned reputation both locally and in the City of London.

After a delay of nearly two years, the School Musical, Bugsy Malone was finally staged in early February with both familiar and new faces showcasing a wealth of singers on stage and musicians in the band. Chapel Choir took the City of London by storm once again singing at the Spital Sermon. Our Jazz Band took their turn providing music during lunch during Bridewell Day. Our Musician of the Year competition saw over a hundred pupils perform in the preliminary rounds.

House Music took place towards the end of the Spring Term - a fantastic evening celebrating music, community and House spirit. Congratulations go to Wakefield and Elizabeth Houses who were the worthy winners. One of the final events of the term was the Prep Schools’ Orchestral Day when we were able to welcome over fifty pupils from surrounding prep and primary schools for a day of music culminating in a wonderful concert. Our Music Scholars gave their annual lunchtime recital at St Bride’s Church in London. It was a genuine pleasure to listen to them perform to such a high standard. The quality of the musicianship was a credit to the pupils and their teachers. Our musicians also entertained guests of the 1553 Guild Lunch with an eclectic mix of music. Chapel

Choir were busy singing regularly on Sundays extended weekday Chapels. The Upper Sixth Leavers’ Service was particularly poignant as we bade farewell to a very talented year group. A reduced Chapel Choir also represented the School with their usual professionalism at the Annual Guild of Freemen Service in London.

Perhaps the highlight of the Summer Term was the return of Proms in the Park after an absence of three years. The format was the same albeit in the new location of Upper Gurdon’s as the culmination of the 1st annual Bridewell Community Day. Proms involved over 160 pupils and as such, a variety of music from samba to bands and many other ensembles were enjoyed by all. It was a truly delightful occasion and a memorable way to end this academic year.